Core Viewpoint - The development of under-forest medicinal herb planting in Donglan County, Guangxi, is positioned as a key driver for rural revitalization, leveraging unique ecological advantages and rich medicinal resources to create economic opportunities while promoting ecological protection [1][5][11]. Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The under-forest economy has been highlighted as a significant opportunity for farmers' income growth, with the national planting area expected to reach 38.5 million acres and annual output value surpassing 104.8 billion yuan by 2024 [1][6]. - Donglan County, despite its ecological fragility, boasts a forest area of 2.8978 million acres and a forest coverage rate of 75.78%, making it a notable area for medicinal herb cultivation [1][2]. Current Developments - Donglan County has established itself as a key area for the cultivation of various medicinal herbs, with 768 species identified, including core varieties like Yao Huang Lian and Tie Pi Shi Duo [2][3]. - The county has implemented a "company + cooperative + base + farmer" model to enhance the scale and standardization of under-forest medicinal herb planting, resulting in over 180,000 acres of medicinal herb cultivation [3][4]. Economic Impact - The under-forest medicinal herb industry is providing new income channels for farmers, with examples of significant earnings from crops like grass coral and Bai Bu, leading to annual output values exceeding 4,000 yuan per acre [5][6]. - The local government has invested over 5 million yuan annually in the development of the under-forest economy, aiming to stimulate further investment and support for the industry [9][11]. Challenges and Opportunities - Despite the growth, challenges such as immature planting techniques, market information lag, and limited sales channels hinder further development [10][11]. - The county plans to enhance its medicinal herb industry by establishing a trading platform, promoting good agricultural practices, and developing a regional brand to improve market presence and pricing power [11]. Future Prospects - Donglan County aims to integrate traditional medicine with tourism and health industries, leveraging its unique resources to create a comprehensive economic model that benefits local communities [7][11]. - The establishment of a medicinal herb industry park with a total investment of 586 million yuan is underway, with a focus on production and processing capabilities to enhance economic returns [6][11].

Core Viewpoint - The development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Donglan County is being positioned as a key driver for rural revitalization, leveraging ecological planting and deep processing to create a comprehensive industry chain [7][9]. Group 1: Agricultural Practices and Economic Impact - The introduction of tissue culture and semi-wild planting methods has increased the yield of the herb "Yao Huang Lian" from 30 kg to 200 kg per mu, with over 5,000 mu of planting area established in the county [3][7]. - The "medicine-grain intercropping" model allows farmers to plant rice after harvesting Yao Huang Lian, leading to multiple harvests from the same land [3][7]. - The economic benefits of these practices are significant, with Yao Huang Lian yielding 500 kg per mu and generating a value of 25,000 yuan, while other herbs like "Shan Wu Gui" can yield 5,000 kg per mu with a value of 50,000 yuan [3][7]. Group 2: Industry Development and Government Support - Donglan County has established a comprehensive TCM industry chain with a total planting area of 171,800 mu and an annual output of over 6,500 tons of medicinal materials [7][8]. - The county government has created the Donglan County TCM Development Center to coordinate and promote industry growth, with an annual budget of over 50 million yuan for infrastructure improvements [8]. - The leading pharmaceutical company, Guangxi Hefeng Pharmaceutical, has adopted a "company + base + cooperative + farmer" model, achieving a production value of 400 million yuan in 2024 [8][9]. Group 3: Cultural and Tourism Integration - The integration of TCM with tourism has led to the development of unique experiences such as medicinal cuisine and health teas, generating over 10 million yuan in revenue [9][10]. - Donglan County plans to enhance its TCM brand by establishing demonstration bases and promoting geographical indication trademarks, aiming to attract more tourists and increase economic output [10]. - In the first quarter of 2025, the county received 867,100 tourists, with TCM health tourism accounting for over 45% of total consumption [10].